Cyclones Defeat South Dakota State, 183-112

BROOKINGS, S.D. – The Iowa State swimming and diving team (1-0-1, 0-0 Big 12) began their two-meet road trip with a victory tonight against the Jackrabbits of South Dakota State. After a 150-150 tie at Nebraska a week ago, the Cyclones made a statement tonight by posting a 183-112 win on the road, sweeping the first 10 events in the process. The Cyclones pushed their overall series record against South Dakota State to 9-0 with tonight’s win.

“I’ve very pleased with the way our women stood up and raced and got after it,” head coach Duane Sorenson said. “They stepped off the bus; stretch a little bit, warmed up, and raced.”

The Cyclones overcame a tough week of practice to win their first event of the season in convincing fashion, finishing first in 15 of the 16 events throughout the dual. Iowa State’s success was due largely in part of another solid performance from the freshman class. The ISU newcomers accounted for nine top-three finishes in both swimming and diving events, including six first-place performances.

“The freshman class has really set the tone for a lot of our swimmers,” Sorenson said. “People like Karyl Clarete, Brooke Evensen, and Savanna Townsend just really get after their races every time they step onto the block. It doesn’t really matter what they swim, they’re just going to go out there and get after it.”

Iowa State’s upperclassmen set the pace for several events as well. Juniors Elizabeth Kleiner and Amanda Paulson combined for five first-place finishes. Paulson, not racing in her typical 50 freestyle, touched first in the 100 butterfly with a time of 28.13 and in the 200 medley relay with a split of 23.29. Notching wins in both the 500 and 1,000 freestyle, Kleiner recorded times of 5:09.82 and 10:33.87, respectively.

On the boards, ISU’s 2012-13 most valuable diver Elyse Brouillette swept both the 1-meter and 3-meter events. Still recovering from surgery on her right shoulder, Brouillette posted scores of 252.00 on the 1-meter board and 236.26 on the 3-meter board.

“I was really happy with how she finished on the 1-meter,” head diving coach Jeff Warrick said. “She really made some good adjustments that she needed to.”

Freshman diver Julie Dickonson had another notable performance in the diving well. After finishing outside the top-three on both boards last week at Nebraska, the Iowa native took third in the 3-meter event with a score of 225.46.

“I think what helped her was getting that first meet under her belt,” Warrick said. “She really came in confident, knowing that she can compete.”

The Cyclones will hit the road again tonight in route to Vermillion, S.D. where they will square off against the Coyotes of South Dakota tomorrow afternoon. Sorenson has a simple plan in preparation for tomorrow’s action.

“Well, we’re going to sit down and have a good meal right now, and then head down to Vermillion,” Sorenson said.